nfl
2009 NFL Draft one year later: Detroit Lions
As we gear up for the 2010 NFL Draft, it is time to take a look at what teams did in last year’s draft. Not only will this give us some insight on how each team goes about its draft, but could give us some valuable insight on who the teams will pick in this year’s draft. We begin with the lowly Detroit Lions, who had the first overall pick in the 2009 draft.
Before we get to all that let us take a look at the Lions relevant draft picks from 2009:
1.Round One (1)- QB Matthew Stafford
2.Round One (20)- TE Brandon Pettigrew
3.Round Two (33)- S Louis Delmas
4.Round Three (76)- OLB DeAndre Levy
5.Round Three (82)- WR Derrick Williams
6.Round Four (115)- DT Sammie Lee Hill
We have to call this one a home run for the Lions. Sure a lot of these guys got chances to play because the Lions roster was so devoid of playmakers, but the Lions landed at least three legitimate starters, and quite possible four in one draft class. Considering they landed nearly no talent in the ten drafts former GM Matt Millen ran, this is quite a feat.
Stafford started 10 games a played as well as a rookie on a bad team should, but a gutsy performance at the end of the Cleveland Browns game earned him a lot of respect with his teammates and with Lions fans. The Pettigrew pick was largely criticized when made, but he had solid season, catching 30 balls for 346 yards before an ACL injury ended his rookie campaign. Delmas was easily the steal of this draft and started virtually from day one. He racked up 94 tackles while starting 15 games. Levy played so well that he will move to the middle and lead the Lions defense in 2010. Williams might be considered a bust, as his play on special teams needed something, but the Lions might give him another shot. Hill played so well that he may start on remade Lions D line in 2010.
The strong play of Hill may well give the Lions the excuse they need not to take a DT with the second overall pick in this year’s draft, and they may be able and willing to start addressing the needs on their offensive line. Lions GM Martin Mayhem must have another strong draft to get this team farther down the road to respectability.
Related Links:
•What did the NFL teams do in the 2009 draft?
•Detroit Lions news and notes
•2010 NFL Draft news, notes, and rumors
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•MTR Football.com
Fix the Franchise: New York Giants edition
The New York Giants used last year’s draft to fix their WR crops, and they may be the biggest strengths on this team, as I have previously argued the problem for this team is not on the offense. Sure they could use some O line depth, but that can be addressed in late rounds of the 2010 NFL draft. The team needs defense, big defensive playmakers that can clog up the middle of the field. While the secondary was a concern that seems to have been taken care of.
CB Aaron Ross was limited to 3 games due to a hamstring injury. So the Giants defense hopes to get him back in 2010. They also signed CB Antrel Rolle in free agency, so that is a good thing. However they have taken a LB in the last six drafts and none of them are contributing to this team. That has to change, and with the 15th pick in April’s draft they have to find a LB prospect that can come in and produce from day one.
If they unsure of the LB prospects, the next best thing to do would be to take a DT at 15. There are several very good ones that would still be available there. However it seems that LB is the problem and the position they should work hard to fix. All the great New York Giants teams in history were known for having a great LB corps or a true defensive star. They must find a new one in this year’s draft.
I would also like to see the Giants address their RB position. In 2008 they had two 1,000 yard rushers, last year they had none. That was the first time since 2001 that the Giants offense could not produce a thousand yard rusher. In the second or third round they could find a very good back, and I certainly hope that they go this route. If I were running this team round 1 and two would address the defense, and my third round pick would be Anthony Dixon, Toby Gerhart, or Montario Hardesty.
Related Links:
•How to fix the bad NFL Franchises
•New York Giants news and notes
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•MTR Football.com
2009 NFL season in review: New Orleans Saints
Finally we come to the reining Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. They won the Super Bowl in their very first apperance in the big game, and we got to believe the San Diego Chargers are kicking themselves for letting QB Drew Brees get away from them. We know the general rule bad NFL teams make bad decisions, and good NFL teams know when to take a risk on a player or two. The Saints have become a good NFL team, and an excellent NFL organization. I can think of no city that deserves a Super Bowl win more, well maybe Detroit.
In 2009 the Saints offense scored 510 points or 31.9 points per game. It seemed for much of the year they could score at will. Brees completed 70.6% of his passes, threw for 4,490 yards and 34 TD’s while only throwing 12 interceptions. Those numbers are just awesome. On the ground they gained 2,106 yards but did not feature a 1,000 yard rusher. Instead Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell each had very productive seasons.
The Saints defense gave up 341 points or 21.3 per game, and that was good enough for the 20th best 2009 NFL defense. That total is a little high, and had they not had such a high power offense it would be a real concern. The good news there is they get two 2009 draft picks back from injury for 2010, and have the draft to address their number one weakness an awful run defense. In 2009 they gave up over 122 rushing yards per game. Addressing this need seems to be their highest priority in the draft. However wit ha number of restricted and unrestricted free agent determining an actual draft strategy is somewhat difficult.
Related Links:
•New Orleans Saints news and notes
•2010 NFL Draft news, notes, and rumors
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•MTR Football.com
Fix the Franchise: Denver Broncos edition
The Denver Broncos may be on the right path, but there is a lot of work to do. First and foremost they must get the Brandon Marshall situation taken care of, that probably means trading him on draft day for as many draft picks as they can get. Since Anquan Boldin got a third and a fourth round pick for the Arizona Cardinals, Marshall should get that or a little bit more. This team must also do what they do in free agency, but on draft day. Last year’s draft was pretty awful. Only the first round selection of Knowshon Moreno saved it from being graded as a F.
I don’t see how this team can continue with Marshall on the roster. Sure he is a very talented receiver, but he is a cancer on this team. At any point he may decide to quit on the , yet again. There are several teams that could use a big time receiver including the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs. However a likely trading partner could be the Cleveland Browns. Not only do could they use a Wide Out, but have 12 picks in April’s draft to wheel and deal with.
Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels takes a New England Patriots approach to free agency, he signs a bunch of mid level veterans to the roster and hopes a few of them work out. However his first draft has bust written all over it. First round pick Robert Ayers (18th overall) had just 19 tackles, 2nd round pick Darcel McBath (48th overall) had just tow interceptions, and 2nd round pick TE Richard Quinn and no catches in 2009. With two picks in the first two round of the 2009 NFL draft they got little production out of them. That must change.
Related Links:
•How to fix the NFL Franchises that failed to reach the playoffs in 2010
•Denver Broncos news and notes
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•MTR Football.com
2009 NFL season in review: Indianapolis Colts
Some of the old Peyton Manning cannot win the big game thought, has crept back into the minds of NFL and Colts fans, but really they just got beat. Even great teams sometimes get beat, and while a Super Bowl loss is always hard to swallow, this team should see a few more trips to the big dance before the eventual rebuilding begins. They are miles ahead of any team in their division, and are virtually guaranteed another trip to the NFL playoffs. For now the tweak the roster, and their coaching staff and get ready to do it all again.
The 2009 Colts offense scored 416 points or 26 points a game, and that was good enough for the 7th best NFL offense. Manning threw for 4,500 yards, completed 68.8% of his passes, threw 33 TD passes and had 16 interceptions. ON the ground they Colts gained 1,294 yards behind Joseph Addai’s 828 yards. That may sound a little low, but this is clearly a pass first team.
The Colts defense gave up 307 points or 19.2 points per game. That means on average they outscored their opponents by nearly a touchdown. Their take away differential was +2, which could have been higher but Peyton threw those 16 picks. The defense appears to be solid and after resigning LB Gary Brackett the return the entire starting squad from 2009.
The biggest flaw on this team is a lack of execution in the running game. In several key short yardage situations in the big game, the Colts failed to convert. Since they have a top talent at RB, this suggests the need to upgrade and find a little depth on their offensive line. They also need to address their backup QB situation and may use a late round draft pick to find another playmaker there. Peyton is 33 years old, so he should be around for a while, but championship teams prepare themselves for every circumstance.
Related Links:
•Indianapolis Colts News and Notes
•The Business of the NFL
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•MTR Football.com
Changes in San Francisco 49ers front office?
Profootballtalk.com is reporting that San Francisco 49ers General Manger, Scot McCloughan, is either on the verge of being fired, or is considering a resignation. The timing of this move is very troubling, considering we are in the middle of NFL Free Agency, and teams are preparing themselves for the NFL Draft. The Niners haven’t set the world of fire with their free agent moves, but they have made a few signings and even completed a trade. One now has to wonder what is going on within the 49er organization.
Since Scot came to the Niners in 20005, and was promoted to GM in 2007 the Niners without a doubt have improved their roster. He may have been behind the firing of former Head Coach Mike Nolan, but he was also probably in on hiring new Head Coach Mike Singletary. Both moves seem to have been correct.
SO far in free agency the 49ers have signed QB David Carr as the backup to starter Alex Smith, traded QB Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions for a 2011 7th round draft pick. They have also signed DL Derek Walker, and CB Karl Paymah. It seems like they are addressing their needs, and improving the club. With two first round pick in April’s draft they are in an excellent position to improve their club even more.
While this is just a rumor at this point, it seems very weird. Apparently some files have been moved from his office, and it seems to indicate that all is not well in 49er land. Why that is, is anyone’s guess since this team appears to be on the rise. Who knows on this one.
Related Links:
•San Francisco 49ers news and notes
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•The Business of the NFL
•MTR Football.com
Seahawks make an agressive move to land a QB
Seattle Seahawks new Head Coach Pete Carroll got his new QB today. It also seems that the team played a very high price for him. On Tuesday the Seattle Seahawks traded their 2010 2nd round pick and a 2011 third round pick to the San Diego Chargers and their 2010 2nd round pick. They then signed, the QB to a two year 10 million dollar contract extension. Many are calling this a crazy move, but is it all that more crazy than guaranteeing a NFL rookie QB 70 million dollars over the next five years?
Sure Whitehurst is unproven, a 2006 third round draft pick, that has yet to throw a pass in a regular season NFL game. I ask this, what did the Seahawks really give up for him? They move back 20 picks in the second round, but they still have two first round pick which just happen to be within the first 14 picks. That is an acceptable risk. The only really thing Carroll and the Seahawks front office has done is tied their short term success to how Whitehurst plays on the field.
While this seems to be an acceptable risk, with a lot of upside by the way, it raises a lot of questions about how this team will be rebuilt. Will they use Whitehurst as a stopgap till they are in a better position to draft a young QB? Will they go ahead and draft a QB this year (which may be hard since Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen are likely to have been selected by the time the ‘Hawks pick at 6)? What about Matt Hasselbeck?
In the end I kind of like this move and I think the plan for the draft will be to add a RB and a OT with their two selections in the first round. This will give Whitehurst some protection, and a running game to lean on should he be the starter. That seems like an ok plan, but the fans may turn on Carroll and new Seahawks General Manager John Schneider if this move blows up in their face.
Related Links:
•Seattle Seahawks news and notes
•2010 Seattle Seahawks Schedule
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•MTR Football.com
2009 NFL season in review: Minnesota Vikings
What can we say about a team one good play away from making the Super Bowl? We can say that over achieved, we can say that Brett Favre proved he had something left in the tank, and we can say they have all the pieces to do it again. Of course if Favre comes back. This is an excellent team, they have all the pieces. A great offense, a very good defense, but just like the Green Bay Packers they are going to have to land Favre’s replacement in this April’s draft. Other than that the big concern for fans of this team is their stadium situation. Will they stay or will the city of angels claim their second Minnesota based pro sports team?
In 2009 the Vikings scored 470 points or 29.4 points per game, good enough for the second best NFL offense. Favre threw for 4,202 yards, completed 68.4% of his passes, threw 33 TD’s and had just 7 interceptions. Not to bad for a guy I had written off. That’s ok though, sometimes it is good to be wrong. On the ground they gained 1,918 yards led by Adrian Peterson and his 1,383 yards.
The Viking defense gave up 312 points or 19.4 per game, and that was good enough for the tenth best NFL defense. On average they outscored their opponents by nearly 10 points, and their take away differential was +6. Is there work to be done on this team? Sure there always is, but the work here is easy. Find a few more playmakers, look for quality depth players, and find a QB who they can groom as Favre’s replacement.
Related Links:
•Minnesota Vikings news and notes
•2010 NFL Mock Drafts
•The Business of the NFL
•2010 NFL Free Agents
•MTR Football.com
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